Fastening interlock with hinge function

ABSTRACT

An interlocking system of structural elements of a wide range of utility made up of a series of said elements having opposite, connected ends. The elements each have one end with projecting arms, and another end with means for engaging the arms effecting a hinged connection between the adjacent elements of the system. The system comprehends mating, rectilinearly formed joints effecting a tight seal at the junctures thereof.

United States Patent Inventor Rudolf J. Leitgeb 56 Whitehall Blvd., Garden City, N.Y. l 1530 Appl. No. 43,435

Filed June 4, 1970 Patented Jan. 11, 1972 FASTENING INTERLOCK WITH HINGE FUNCTION 3 Claims, 6 Drawing Figs.

US. Cl l60/220, 16/178 Int. Cl E06b 3/12 Field of Search..... 160/220; l6/l78; 52/588 [5 6] References Cited FOREIGN PATENTS 800,761 9/ l 958 Great Britain l60/220 523,788 4/1955 Italy 160/220 Primary ExaminerBobby R. Gay Assistant Examiner-Doris L. Troutman Attorney-Robert G. McMorrow ABSTRACT: An interlocking system of structural elements of a wide range of utility made up of a series of said elements having opposite, connected ends. The elements each have one end with projecting arms and another end with means for engaging the arms effecting a hinged connection between the adjacent elements of the system. The system eomprehends mating. rectilinearly formed joints effecting a tight seal at the junctures thereofl slessisw PATENTEU Jun 1 m2 INVENTOR. R0004 F J 45/7655,

ATTORNEY BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention relates to structural members employed in an environment where security of connection and hinge opera-' tion are necessary correlated functions.

2. Statement of the Prior Art It has heretofore been proposed, in German Pat. No. 1,145,342 to Carozzo, 1963, that an interlock system incorporating both a hinge function and the capability of linear extension be provided. Such system is successful in attaining that general objective, but does not-effectively seal the element at the junctures thereof, and has been found to cause occasional malfunctions due to the curvilinear nature of the intersecting portions thereof.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is directed to a structural assembly of end connected components wherein the components are hingedly secured to one another, and are securely held from disconnection up to the limit of capability of the material of fabrication. Numerous environments of intended use are contemplated, such as in the fabrication of movable doors and awnings, fences, hanging apparatus, covers for open areas, and in any other instance wherein nonlinear mobility or rolled storage of a panel is required.

The individual structural elements making up the system of this invention are'optionally provided with perforations adjacent the movable interlock means thereof. In such embodiments of the invention, a central objective is that of providing a system wherein the interlocking and movable hinge means, in conjunction with the novel shape of the adjacent body, permits flexibility in either allowing the passage of light and/or air, or in positively sealing the juncture between the elements by manipulation. At the same time, the structural elements are adapted for rolling into compact storage positions.

Another objective of importance resides in the provision of an interlock system wherein the exertion of a separating force tends to more securely lock the connection between adjacent elements.

Still another objective resides in the provision of an interlock system involving projecting arms which engage inwardly directed teeth of a next adjacent element. The arms are joined to the structural members at rectangular shoulder sections, the shoulder sections, arms and teeth being of transversely uneven arrangement, and the teeth being shaped conformably with the shoulders to permit hinge movement therebetween and facilitating rolled storage.

Other and further objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from a consideration of the following specification when read in conjunction with the annexed drawing. I

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 1 is a side view showing an individual structural element of this system constructed and assembled in accordance with the teachings of the invention;

FIG. 2 is an elevational view of one of said elements;

FIG. 3 shows a series of the elements as interconnected, with the connection means positioned for blocking the passage of light therebetween;

FIG. 4 shows an extended position permitting light and air passage;

FIG. 5 shows a rolled or folded position of the elements from an opposite side; and

FIG. 6 is an elevational view showing a modification of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring to the drawing in more detail, a system 10 according to this invention is therein disclosed by way of illustration,

exclusive of any particular environmentof use. will be understood that the system may beemployed in fabricatingitems' 1 such as garage doors, swimming pool covers, awnings,- or the like.

The basic structural components of thesystem 10 comprise a series of structural'membersl2 each having a first wall 14* and a second wall 16.=-The walls are of a'width consistent with the particular use to which they are to be'p.ut,-and have interior ribs 18 and 20, thelatter being variable' as to number and positioning as dictated by rigidity requirern'entsltis to benoted that the ribs do'not interconnect the walls'l4'andl 6 in the illustrated form of theinvention; However, in'some environments of use, it may be desirable 'to'connect thewalls" together. In the form shown, the rib lsextends from thewall 16 to a point adjacent but spaced from the wall 14; The-rib' 2l) similarly extends from the wall but'is not connected to thewall 16. This arrangement permits a' certain degree of flexibili ty in the walls, which varies as a function of the material of fabrication, and which aids in the ability of the'u'nits to'be' rolled for storage.

The first wall 14 has an upper end section 22 and a lower end section 24. Similarly, the second wall 16' includes an upper end section '26 and alower'end sectio'n'28. The upper end section 22 of the first wall is elongated relative to the section 26 of the second wall, while the lower end section 28 is longer than the section 24 of the first wall. Extending from the upper end sections 22 and 26*are rectilinear shoulders 30'an'd 32 of the respective walls. The shoulders are joined together at a flat connecting portion 34.

The connecting portion 34 is preferably provided with a se ries of perforations or openings 3 6'shown' in the drawing asof square form. It will be understood that other and different configurations of the openings may be substituted without departure from the invention.

An important feature of the invention'resides in the provision of outwardly extended, rectilinear interlock arms 38 'and- 40 which projects from the connectingportion on the walls 12 and 14, respectively, and have rounded knobs 39 and 41, respectively, on their distal portions. It is to be noted in the drawing that the arms 38 'of each unit extend upwardly a distance greater than that of the arms 40. At the opposite extremity of the individual elements 10, the lower end sections 24 and 28'are spaced apart to form an opening therebetween. Each of the sections has an inwardly extended, rectilinear lower edge forming teeth 42, 44, respectively, the form of the teeth being opposed to the form of the arms as described hereinabove. The teeth are provided with upstanding flanges 46, 48 to more effectively maintain a seal at the juncture point and to engage with the knobs 39 and 41, respectively.

In FIG. 6, a modified form of the invention is shown, wherein the members 12a are composed'of a unitary'main wall 14a having optional perforations 3621. At the upper end section 22a, there is a first arm 38a with knobs 39a thereon, and a second arm 40a with knobs 41a. At its opposite portion, the member 12a has lower end section walls 24a'and 2821 with inward teeth 42a and 44a. The teeth have flanges 46iz'and 48a.

The individual units are assembled, as by sliding the units together from the side, so that the arms 38 and-40 are disposed between the lower end sections24 and 28"0f a next adjacent element. Thus, the arms are captively engaged by thetee'th'42 and 44, linear withdrawal being blocked by the'interengagement of the arms and teeth. The orientation of the elements is such that the longer arms 38 engage theteeth 42 of the lesser wall section 24, while the arms 40 engage'the teeth44' of the elongated wall sections 28. This permits 'the rolled storage of the units, as shown in FIG. 5. Also, as a separative force is exerted on adjacent elements, the engagement of the'te'eth andarms becomes more positive. It will of course beunderstood that terminal connection means for a series oftheunits will vary according to the particular environment of use.

Iclaim:

1. A structural interlock system comprising:

a plurality of structural members each havingfirst and second spaced-apart walls;

each wall having an upper end section and a lower end sectron;

the upper 'end sections of the first wall of each member being elevated relative to the upper end sections of the second wall;

right angular shoulder sections extending from the upper end sections of the walls, said shoulder sections being joined together at a flat connecting portion, the connecting portion being right angularly arrangedwith respect to the shoulder sections;

outwardly flared,' right angular interlock arms projecting from the connecting portion, the arms of the first wall being elevated with respect to the arms of the second walls;

a series of depending knobs on said interlock arms;

the lower end section of the second wall being extended below the lower end section of the first wall;

inwardly directed, right angular, spaced-apart connection teeth'on the distal extremity of each of the lower end sections, defining an opening therebetween;

the depending knobs engaging the teeth and being located between the teeth and the walls; and

the interlock arms being disposed between the lower end sections of a next adjacent structural member, whereby the members are hingedly secured to one another.

2. The invention of claim 1, and:

rigidifying web members extended from the first and second walls;

the web members being connected to the respective walls and having free outer ends; and

a series of perforations in said connecting portions.

3. The invention of claim 1, and:

rigidifying web members extended from the first and second walls. 

1. A structural interlock system comprising: a plurality of structural members each having first and second spaced-apart walls; each wall having an upper end section and a lower end section; the upper end sections of the first wall of each member being elevated relative to the upper end sections of the second wall; right angular shoulder sections extending from the upper end sections of the walls, said shoulder sections being joined together at a flat connecting portion, the connecting portion being right angularly arranged with respect to the shoulder sections; outwardly flared, right angular interlock arms projecting from the connecting portion, the arms of the first wall being elevated with respect to the arms of the second walls; a series of depending knobs on said interlock arms; the lower end section of the second wall being extended below the lower end section of the first wall; inwardly directed, right angular, spaced-apart connection teeth on the distal extremity of each of the lower end sections, defining an opening therebetween; the depending knobs engaging the teeth and being located between the teeth and the walls; and the interlock arms being disposed between the lower end sections of a next adjacent structural member, whereby the members are hingedly secured to one another.
 2. The invention of claim 1, and: rigidifying web members extended from the first and second walls; the web members being connected to the respective walls and having free outer ends; and a series of perforations in said connecting portions.
 3. The invention of claim 1, and: rigidifying web members extended from the first and second walls. 